ABOUT
MY APPROACH
There isn't an occasion that I'm not open to discussing. I've created balloon decor for birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, dinner parties, festivals, club nights, corporate events, launches, shop windows, fundraisers, private views, graduation parties, Christmas parties, NYE parties, Valentines Day, Mother's Day, and even funerals.
After learning about the focus of your upcoming special occasion, my design process usually starts with a site visit. Whether it's a dance floor, a garden, your business or your home, I approach every location with an open mind and fresh eyes. Balloon decor is at its best when it harmonises with the surrounding space so I always look out for opportunities to incorporate existing features and structures to design around.
The available colours and themes are as broad as our imaginations. An elegant colour scheme applied to an organic garland might be all that's required. Including a premium finish or more creative elements can elevate things to the next level. Alternatively, go all out with a giant aerial installation or cloud. If the scale and budget are smaller, bouquets and centrepieces might be all that's needed to bring joy to a special celebration and certainly won't compromise on creativity.
Whatever ideas I put forward, I understand the limitations of the budget and will always be happy to suggest suitable alternatives.
If you are hiring a venue, I make it a prority to liaise with the appropriate contacts to ensure they understand all elements of the design (including logisitics for installation and de-rig). These Communications are very important to me and I take pride in ensuring that everything runs smoothly so you can focus on enjoying your occasion.
HISTORY
In 1989, the ‘Funtime Disco’ was the place to be. At least that is what my seven-year-old self believed, collaborating with my big sister in transforming my bedroom into an “all-afternoon” disco, complete with flashing lights, non-stop music and dancing. Our mum and dad were charged 50p for entrance and treated to a free lemon squash served in a wine glass followed by an unmissable balloon drop. I think this is possibly where it all began.
As I grew up, I always remained a fan of disco music and dancing. I became enamoured with the cultural history surrounding the disco movement which lead to a fascination with the downtown loft parties of New York in the 1970s. Balloons were an integral part of the aesthetic of those parties.
Naturally, balloons began making appearances at my own parties which I threw most weekends at my bedsit on St Gregory’s Green in Norwich during my young adult life. The room was only 3m x 3m so I pushed the furniture aside, folded the bed up against the wall and covered every inch of the ceiling with balloons.
As guests arrived, I noticed that something special happened to their faces and attitudes once they saw the balloons. They were uplifted and ready to live it up. The message was: you are allowed to revel here, leave your troubles at the door.
When the parties outgrew my small bedsit, I started bringing balloons to other venues and dance floors in Norwich. I was at my happiest spinning on a dance floor and my hobby was decorating those dance floors. It was a magical combination.
Then, an unexpected period of ill health in 2017 caused me to reevaluate my future. Life became too short to neglect my passions so I decided to become self-employed and started taking my balloon decor more seriously. I attended a series of balloon decorating courses and gathered essential skills to turn my hobby into a business.
This is when DECK was born. I have since had endless exciting projects working for local venues, shops, businesses, club nights, private parties and weddings.
I am driven by the prospect of balloon decor bringing people together, enhancing the togetherness at a party or event and making special occasions unique and unforgettable.
